The Best Way to Clean a Flooded Kitchen: A Step-by-Step Guide for Commercial Kitchens

The quicker you act, the better chance you’ll have of avoiding water damage and any dreaded mould growth. Plus, you’ll ensure your kitchen is safe for food prep and storage once again.
So, let’s get right to the best way to clean a flooded kitchen without making you feel like you’re walking into an episode of a disaster show. We’ve got your back. Here’s what you need to know and do to tackle a flooded kitchen situation head-on.

Immediate Actions to Take After a Kitchen Flood

First things first – stay calm. Yes, there’s water all around. But the quicker you take action, the less damage you’ll end up with.

Shut Off the Water Supply

The moment you spot a flood in the kitchen, turn off the water supply. Head to the stopcock (that’s the valve that controls your water supply) and turn it off. Can’t find it? (Don't worry, you’re not alone − these things always seem to hide when you need them most!) Look for where the water supply enters the building − typically under the stairs or near your front door. But it could be in a basement, utility room, or a kitchen cupboard, depending on the layout of the property. 

If the water has stopped flowing once the stopcock is turned off, but you’ve still got a flooded kitchen floor, you might be dealing with a burst pipe or a faulty appliance. If water’s still pouring in, call a plumber for help asap. You want to stop any more water damage before it gets worse.

Turn Off the Electricity

Next up, turn off the electricity. Flooded kitchens and electrics don’t mix! Water around any live electrics poses a serious risk of electrocution, so make sure to cut the power at the consumer unit. Shutting off the stopcock is one thing, but limiting the volts entering your kitchen is quite another. If there’s water around any live electrics, don’t touch anything and call an electrician immediately.

Identify the Cause of the Flood

Is it a burst pipe? Leaking dishwasher or washing machine? Or maybe external flood water from a heavy rainstorm that’s caused your kitchen to flood? Knowing what’s made the water supply line fail will help determine how to stop more water coming in. If you’re not sure what's caused the flood in the kitchen, get it inspected by a professional before you start the cleaning process.

Notify Your Insurance

Once the immediate danger is dealt with quickly, call your insurance company. Document all visible damage and take photos of water damage to show them. You may also need a report from a professional cleaning or flood damage restoration company like ours to support your claim.

Assessing the Severity and Type of Floodwater

Right, so what’s actually swimming around in your kitchen? Before you roll up your sleeves and start drying out the flooded kitchen, it’s important to assess what kind of water you’re dealing with. This helps determine the flooded kitchen cleaning method and your next steps.

• Clean water: This is water from a supply line, so it’s not contaminated. It’s the least risky type of floodwater to handle, but still requires a thorough clean-up.
• Greywater: This type of water comes from dishwashers or washing machines and contains harmful bacteria and chemicals. Not as bad as Blackwater, but still risky.
• Blackwater: If you’ve experienced sewage or floodwater from outside, this is blackwater. It’s the most dangerous, containing bacteria, viruses, and parasites. If this is the case, it’s best to call in professionals to help clean up the flooded kitchen safely.

Safety Precautions and Protective Gear

If you’re dealing with greywater or blackwater, make sure to take the proper safety precautions. You don’t want to end up with more than just a flooded kitchen floor but also nasty infections or diseases.

• Wear protective clothing: Think rubber boots, waterproof gloves, overalls, face masks, and eye protection. It’s like your own superhero costume, but for cleaning.
• Hand hygiene: After each cleanup session, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Even if you’re just dealing with clean water, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Laundry: If you’ve been handling stagnant water, wash your clothes separately on a high heat cycle.

Water Removal and Drying

Now that the safety side is sorted, it’s time to get to work. Removing the water quickly is crucial to prevent further water damage and stop mould from growing.

Soak Up the Water

First, soak up the water. Got a wet vac? Brilliant! No wet vac? A mop and bucket marathon it is, then. If there’s a lot of water on the kitchen floor, a water pump might be necessary. The goal is to remove all visible water from the flooded kitchen floor as quickly as possible.

Drying Out the Flooded Kitchen

Once the standing water is gone, it’s time to focus on drying out the flooded kitchen. Open up all your cabinet doors and drawers, as well as your kitchen sink cabinets, to allow for air circulation. Place fans and dehumidifiers in the kitchen to help speed up the drying process. Getting everything bone dry will help prevent damp or mould issues down the line.

Pay special attention to drywalls and door frames, as these can soak up water like a sponge. Check lower cabinets for water damage, too, as water would naturally pool there. If you’re dealing with damp walls, you may want to use a dehumidifier or fan to help with air circulation and reduce condensation. Be careful with wooden furniture, as it can warp or weaken from water exposure.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Once you’ve cleared the water, it’s time for the real work: cleaning and disinfecting the area. This will help remove any bacteria and mould spores that might have started settling in. Think of this as giving your kitchen the spa treatment it never asked for − deep cleanse, exfoliation, the works.

Clean Hard Surfaces

Using hot, soapy water, clean all the hard surfaces in your kitchen, including countertops, floors, and walls. Pay extra attention to non-porous surfaces, like tiles, where bacteria can lurk. A thorough flooded kitchen cleaning process will result in water damage clean-up that’s both effective and hygiene-compliant.

Disinfect Food Areas

After cleaning, disinfect food prep areas like counters, sinks, appliance doors, and storage cabinets. Use a food-safe disinfectant, and don’t forget to give the fridge and freezer a good clean if they’ve been affected.

Clean Appliances

Check your dishwasher, washing machine, and any other appliance that may have contributed to or been impacted by the flood. Clean and disinfect all the surfaces, and remove any dirt or debris that could be lingering. Regulators and bottom burners may need to be replaced if they’ve been submerged for any length of time.

Addressing Potential Hazards

After a flood, you’ll need to inspect various systems to make sure everything is safe and functional.

Electrical and Gas Systems

If you’ve had any flooding around live electrics, get in touch with a qualified electrician to inspect everything before you try to use anything. The circuit to the room may need professional attention.

The same goes for gas appliances – if your gas stove has been compromised by water, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999, or via textphone (minicom) on 0800 371 787, for assistance. A gas leak is the last thing you need on top of dealing with a flooded kitchen.

Discard Contaminated Food

If any food has come into contact with floodwater, it’s best to get rid of it. Mould growth can quickly contaminate food, and the last thing you want is to serve tainted dishes. The Food Standards Agency recommends not consuming any food that’s been contaminated by floodwater or sewage. Even tinned food should be discarded. 

Mould Prevention

One of the most dreaded results of a flood in the kitchen is mould growth. Mould spreads faster than gossip in a small village, and is about as welcome in your kitchen as a food critic during a staff shortage. If left unchecked, it can spread quickly and become a real health hazard.

Drying and Disinfecting

The key to preventing mould is thorough drying and disinfection. Start cleaning within 48 hours of the flood if it’s safe to do so. The longer water sits, the higher the risk of mould damage. Make sure to check your drywalls, door frames, and any upholstered furniture, which may need replacement if contaminated.

If you see water around door frames or see water damage in less obvious places, don’t ignore it – that’s where mould loves to grow! If you find mould, don’t try to clean it yourself unless you’re confident about what you’re doing. Mould spores can become airborne, spreading to other areas and creating more issues. Call in professional cleaning services if you’re unsure. 

Professional Assistance and Additional Services

If you’re not sure where to start, or if the damage caused is extensive, it’s always a good idea to call in the pros. Flood restoration specialists and cleaning companies like ours have the experience and equipment to deal with flooded kitchen cleaning and water damage restoration.

They can help with everything from water extraction to mould remediation. Professional drying equipment and techniques will ensure your kitchen is safe to use again. If you’re dealing with a severe case, don’t hesitate to give us a call – we can handle the nitty-gritty of getting your kitchen back to normal.

Post-Flood Recovery Tips

After the flooded kitchen is dry, make sure to check for signs of damage. Look at drywalls and door frames for any lingering issues. Check if cabinet doors and drawers open and close properly, or if they’ve warped from water exposure.

If you’re not sure if the kitchen is completely dry, it’s worth having restoration professionals pop by for a nosy. They’ve got a specialist kit to check for hidden moisture that could cause issues down the line. If drying out the flooded kitchen wasn’t enough to restore the space, the restoration specialists can help with everything from fixing water damage to addressing any mould issues that have cropped up.

Conclusion

A flooded kitchen is certainly a stressful situation − right up there with running out of chips on fish and chip Friday! But with the right steps, you can restore your kitchen to its former glory. By acting quickly and effectively, you can minimise the damage caused and prevent future issues like mould growth and water damage. 

Here’s a quick recap of the best way to clean a flooded kitchen:

• Turn off the water supply and electricity
• Remove standing water
• Start drying everything thoroughly
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces
• Check for mould and address it immediately
• Get professional help if needed

We hope you never have to deal with a flood in your commercial kitchen, but if you do, following these steps will help you get back up and running as quickly as possible. And, as always, if you’d prefer to leave it to the best mate you never knew you had in this situation, get in touch with KDC Food Hygiene’s experts. We’ll ensure you’ll be back to serving your delicious meals in no time.